Hope Solo with other "Dancing with the Stars" competitors. They include Ron Artest of the Los Angeles Lakes, actor David Qrquette, reality-TV stars Kristin Cavallari, Carson Kressley and Rob Kardashian, HLN's ... more

Photo: ABC photo

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Hope Solo and partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy rehearse for the two-hour season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars."

Hope Solo and partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy rehearse for the two-hour season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars."

Photo: ABC photo

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Hope Solo and partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy rehearse for the two-hour season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars."

Hope Solo and partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy rehearse for the two-hour season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars."

Photo: ABC photo

Image 78 of 80

Hope Solo and partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy rehearse for the two-hour season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars."

Hope Solo and partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy rehearse for the two-hour season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars."

Photo: ABC photo

Image 79 of 80

Hope Solo and partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy rehearse for the two-hour season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars."

Hope Solo and partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy rehearse for the two-hour season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars."

Instead, David Arquette and Kym Johnson were sent packing. The pair scored 24 points Monday – the same score as Solo and her partner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy – but Arquette and Johnson were on the losing side of the show-closing team dance.

Solo and Chmerkovskiy entered the week in apparent danger, having clashed with judges the week before and barely avoiding elimination. But they redeemed themselves nicely, wowing the judges with a samba to Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves of London.”

“You were running away from the big, bad wolf and you were dancing as if your life depended on it,” Bruno Tonioli said. “Better timing, better placement, better finish. So you should be proud.”

Chmerkovskiy, often a harsh critic of his partner, had nothing negative to say.

“I loved it,” he said. “I thought it was great. Everything went perfect. The steps were great. I’m really proud of you. It was a great performance.”

After a long stare, Solo said, “Thank you.” She looked relieved.

During Monday’s judging, Carrie Ann Inaba said Solo rediscovered an ease of motion she hasn’t had in weeks.

“You had this lightness,” Inaba said. “All of you came out and it was so fun to watch.”

That lightness could be challenged right away. Solo has been called up to the U.S. women’s national team for a Nov. 19 friendly against Sweden in Glendale, Ariz., and two weeks of training begin this week.